I have often been astounded at the matchless love of Jesus. Not at his love now, reigning as Lord in a new spiritual body at the Father’s right hand. But as a man on earth, tempted in all ways like us—yet never having sin. He could have failed, but he didn’t. He gave his life for us. My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ work and righteousness.
It’s not polite to say “Shut up,” but sometimes it is necessary when dealing with your mind. After being programmed and sensitized to worldly thinking, God’s Word offers a refreshing alternative—the truth.
After 9 days of going up and down mountains, I’ve returned to my life in California. Probably avoiding poison ivy is the biggest reason why. Although I admit I do enjoy not having 40 pounds on my back 10-12 hours a day.
I miss being with Rich, and it was odd coming home last night from LAX. The house seemed so different. Even being at the airport with so many people and nothing “green” was odd. But I did meet some nice people and even got to pray in Spanish with a woman heading to Puerto Rico. So, life goes on.
Background
Psalms 61-72 complete the Exodus book in Psalms and show the Messiah’s great atoning work.
This Psalm includes the title “when he was in the wilderness of Judah.” I Samuel 22:5 says that “the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.” Of another occasion, I Samuel 23:14 says that “David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.”
I went for a run yesterday to the top of our hill. Which is like a small mountain. It was a sunny day with ocean views and beautiful flowering plants and even some nice people to meet.
I remember spending hour upon hour of my youth looking at spiders and their webs, following columns of ants, catching snakes (sometimes poisonous!), watching birds flit from tree to tree, seeing giant clouds race across the vast Missouri sky, grabbing crawdads from behind in Buck Creek, finding baby bunnies in the blackberry patch, seeing our kitty give birth and nurse her kittens, catching frogs at the pond and making torches from the cattails there, lying at the foot of my bed to watch lightning and then listening for the thunder, sitting transfixed beneath a winter sky full of brilliant stars beyond counting, and catching bumblebees in pink, pollen-filled clover.
Sherry and I love to read five psalms each night before going to bed. If you read five per day, you get through all 150 psalms in thirty days. Then you can start over again the next month. Psalm 34 is one that we read today. As we saw its depth and beauty, we wanted to share it with others.
I was James Bond. Walking around the house in my little suit and bow tie, I looked for adventures where I could take on enemy agents and win the pretty girl.
Click here to read PSALM 92 in poetic form